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Last season: 47-18-2-1, 97 points, second in conference. Lost in second round to Kitchener in seven.

The man: Future Washington Capitals stud Tom Wilson set to become top power forward. He's one of four NHL first-rounders on the Whalers with Stefan Noesen (Ottawa), Rickard Rakell (Anaheim) and J.T. Miller (New York Rangers).

Watch for: Jordan Binnington. He was picked the most outstanding goalie at the Memorial Cup in 2011 and has played significant minutes in the OHL the past three years ... Former Sarnia captain Nathan Chiarlitti will provide experience on defence.

They need: To improve against the division heavyweights. They struggled against London and Kitchener last season, costing them home ice in the first round.

Prediction: They're back, but tough to crack top three.

SARNIA STING

GM/coach: Jacques Beaulieu (second year)

Last season: 34-27-2-5, 75 points, fourth in conference. Lost in first round to Saginaw in six.

The man: Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal's top pick this year, missed nearly entire season after a freak knee injury. He has a chance to be the best forward in the league this time around.

Watch for: Goalie Garret Sparks, a Leafs draft pick, played in 59 of 68 games last season with solid numbers ... Dangerous Hunter Garlent (16-26-42 as a rookie) is awfully fun to watch and Winnipeg third-rounder Scott Kosmachuk scored 30 goals in second season.

Last season: 29-35-5-2, 65 points, eighth in conference. Lost in first round to London in four.

The man: Kerby Rychel. The son of the GM scored 41 goals last season and isn't yet 18. No one has to tell him twice to shoot the puck.

Adios: Star forward Alex Khokhlachev, who scored 59 goals in two seasons, has decided to play for Moscow Spartak in the KHL.

Watch for: First-rounder Josh Ho-Sang and third-rounder Ryan Verbeek -- former NHLer Pat's nephew -- to make an early splash. Slovak forward Juraj Bezuch lit it up in pre-season for the Rangers, who didn't have import room.

Watch for: Toronto pick Connor Brown, who led the team in scoring last year with 53 points -- 18 clear of anyone else. Promising Stephen Harper scored 24 times as a rookie and there's more where that came from.

They need: To win a few early. Usually slow out of the gate, the Otters draw defending champ London three times in the first month.

Prediction: A 45-point improvement is necessary to contend for a playoff spot. Tough business.

Last season: 33-27-1-7, 74 points. Lost in second round to London in six.

The man: Centre Vincent Trocheck. Florida third-rounder and Pittsburgh native can be one of the league's most dynamic players and Spirit needs his 29-goal, 85-point performance from last season -- and probably more.

Watch for: Sean Monahan, who bagged 33 goals last season, is the trigger man up front.

They need: Former Brampton goalie Keegan Wilson following seamlessly in the skates of Detroit prospect and Czech world junior standout Petr Mrazek.

Prediction: Still capable in the capital.

OSHAWA GENERALS

GM: Jeff Twohey. Coach: D.J. Smith (first year).

Last season: 31-30-4-2, 69 points, eighth in conference. Lost in first round to Niagara in six.

The man: Leader Boone Jenner missed 25 games in 2011-12, which didn't help matters. The Columbus second-rounder along with Flyers first-rounder Scott Laughton don't give an inch.

Adios: Sniper Christian Thomas, who scored 54 two seasons ago, is in the New York Rangers system and 25-goal import Nicklas Jensen left to play in Sweden.

Watch for: Tyler Biggs, Toronto first-rounder, is in town after departing the NCAA's Miami of Ohio. He'll help up front immediately.

They need: Carolina prospect and sophomore goalie Daniel Altshuller to keep the biscuit out of the basket.

Prediction: Underachievers no more.

SUDBURY WOLVES

GM: Blaine Smith. Coach: Trent Cull (third year)

Last season: 36-26-4-2, 78 points, fifth in conference. Lost in first round to Brampton in four.

The man: Toronto pick Josh Leivo. Scored 32 last season and looked strong in helping team win the pre-season World Junior Cup in Russia.

Adios: Scoring champ Michael Sgarbossa (47-55-102) will get a shot in the Colorado system.

Watch for: The Dominiks -- Czech imports and buddies Kubalik and Kahun -- can bring instant chemistry to the offence.

They need: To stay out of sick bay. A full season from veteran forward Brody Silk adds bite to the Wolves attack.

Prediction: Still snarling.

NIAGARA ICEDOGS

GM/coach: Marty Williamson (third year).

Last season: 47-18-0-3, 97 points, first in conference. Lost OHL final to London in five.

The man: Hey, here's a reason to root for a long NHL lockout -- more Dougie Hamilton in the OHL. The Bruins will whisk away the top defenceman when the NHL resumes, but for now he's in St. Catharines. Now, if only the Sharks would ship back his brother, Freddie. . .

Adios: Andrew Agozzino (40-48-88) lit it up during his five-year Dogs career. Niagara enjoyed 95 goals from its overagers, including Alex Friesen and David Pacan, last season.

Last season: 33-28-1-6, 73 points, sixth in conference. Lost in first round to Barrie in six.

The man: Stuart Percy. Toronto first-rounder, played only half a season because of injury, so a strong defensive campaign from him, veteran Dylan DeMelo (Sharks) and Carolina pick Trevor Carrick would provide a much-needed boost.

Adios: Top netminder Brandon Maxwell, leaving 17-year-old Spencer Martin with a chance to carry the torch. He appeared in 15 games as a rookie.